Sample Sources
The sources below are those contained in our three curated collections—covering themes of Passover, Gender Roles, and Holocaust Resistance. They represent a fraction of the thousands of sources that will be available when the full site launches in 2024.
Sifre Numbers
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses [because of the Cushite woman he had married] (Numbers 12:1, NJPS).
Now how did Miriam know that Moses had separated from having sexual…
Jews as Seleucid Soldiers
The Jews also received honors from the kings of Asia when they served them in war; for example, Seleucus Nicator made them citizens of the cities that he built in Asia and in lower Syria, and in the…
Conflicts between the Young Herod and Hyrcanus
Antipater saw Caesar out of Syria and then returned to Judaea. His first act was to rebuild the wall of the capital which had been destroyed by Pompey. He then toured the country, suppressing any…
Antipas Contests Archelaus’ Rule
Meanwhile Antipas returned to the fray and disputed the succession to the throne, asserting that the original will, which named him as king, had greater…
The First Flames of War
Meanwhile the Greeks of Caesarea had won their case at Rome, and came back with the document recording Nero’s decision to award them…
The Temple Falls
Titus, now realizing that his attempt to spare a foreign temple was only causing injury and death to his own men, gave orders for the gates to be fired. [ . . . ]…
Laws about Jews in the Theodosian Code
emperor constantine augustus to evagrius
We want the Jews, their principals and their patriarchs informed, that if anyone—once this law has been given—dare attack by stoning or by other…
Mourning the Last Parthian King
Antoninus attended to Rabbi. Ardavan attended to Rav. When Antoninus died, Rabbi said, “The bond has been snapped.” When Ardavan died, Rav said, “The bond has been snapped.”
Translated by Shai Secunda…
The Exilarch as Jewish Elite
The exilarch said to Rav Sheshet, “Although you rabbis might be wise, the Persians are more expert than you in matters of table etiquette. When there are two couches, the most important person…
Titus Destroys the Temple and Challenges God
[Vespasian] went [back to Rome and] sent Titus [in his place. The Gemara cites a verse that was expounded as referring to Titus]: And he shall say: Where is their God, their rock in whom they trusted…
Rebuking Members of the Exilarch’s Household
Whoever is able to protest against the [sins of the] people of his household and does not protest is caught up [in the sins of] the people of his household. [Whoever is able to protest against the…
Boethusian Incense and the Temple
There was once an incident involving a Boethusian who lit the incense while he was still outside the holy of holies, and the cloud of the incense went out [into the sanctuary] and upset everyone…